Two shots of the legionaries in their encampment.
Left: a legionary standing guard
Right: a fine example of the palla, the broad cloak

A legionary sentry standing guard at the encampment.

Now this is a proper auxiliary! A grouchy looking, bearded barbarian hired into the ranks of the Roman army. He’s even wearing that most barbarian garment of all: trousers!

Marius’ mules, the nickname for the weighed down legionaries on the march, make their way across Birdoswald Fort.

More shots of the splendid display.

The display also involved a demonstration of army training methods.
Left: two auxiliaries practice fighting with the stabbing spear, the hasta.
Right: two legionaries exercise with wooden swords and wicker shields.

The most spectacular part of the training display is when one poor infantryman is ‘volunteered’ by the centurion to take on cavalrymen who charge him with pointless lances and spears.
In this picture you can just make out the shaft of the spear as it impacts on the shield our hapless infantry wields to save his skin, as the horse charges by.

The display over, it’s time to strike some heroic poses for the photographers…

Well, I hope you enjoyed that little display. My thanks to the reenactors of the Ermine Street Guard for a great photo opportunity.